The sandals of Jesus

"How beautiful are the feet of the one who brings good news on the mountains, who proclaims peace, which brings news of happiness, which announces salvation." Isaiah 52. 7

"He who says to dwell in him, must himself also walk as he walked." 1 John 2: 6

While walking through a souk (market) in Nazareth, Israel, we are surprised to see an announcement "Sandals of Jesus" over a display of camel leather sandals.

Ah, if it were enough to put on a pair of these sandals (probably similar to those he wore), to walk as he walked !

These sandals can not help us walk like Jesus. But this unexpected announcement brings some reflections.

Yes, Jesus wore sandals. It was very useful in these arid regions of Israel, which he traveled for hundreds of kilometers on foot (from Jerusalem to Lake Tiberias only, about 140 km).

John the Baptist acknowledged this : "There comes after me the one who is more powerful than I, whom I am not worthy to untie, by bending down, the strap of the sandals" (Mark 1: 7). Moreover, "He who comes after me is more powerful than I am, and I am not worthy to carry (or take away) his sandals" (Matt 3:11).

Even though sandals can be relatively comfortable on these arid paths, the abundant dust is impregnated on the feet of the traveler. It is therefore a service and an honor to wash the feet of his visitor when he arrives in a house. Jesus did not have this honor with Simon : "I entered your house ; You have not given me water to wash my feet "(Luke 7. 44). The feet of the "great traveler" were not often refreshed by men, yet he announced good news ...

No, it would be useless to buy the "sandals of Jesus". We will have to say, like Jean-Baptiste : "I am not worthy to wear sandals." However, let us apply ourselves, by the power of the Spirit, to "walk as he walked" in love, dependence, trust, obedience, compassion toward men, separation from sin, as we Invites the apostle John.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)